The TDI badge stands for Turbocharged Direct Injection, and is the badge fitted to turbodiesel versions of the golf. These engines are well known for their dependability as well as producing a great balance between performance and fuel efficiency.

What is the most popular Golf?

The Golf Match is the most popular version of the Golf. It's a mid-to-high specification version of the Mk7 golf and came equipped with adaptive cruise control, touchscreen sat nav and air con as standard. Of the Mk8, the Life is the most readily available on the used market. Though it's the entry-level model, it still comes with alloy wheels, front/rear parking sensors, sat nav and climate control.

Is the Volkswagen Golf good for long-distance driving?

Yes, the Golf is a very comfortable motorway cruiser. The interior is also spacious enough to accommodate passengers on a longer trip.

Is the Golf a good family car?

Yes. Volkswagen has always designed the Golf to be a family car. For a long time now, the Golf has only been available in a five-door layout, and it's very straightforward to fit an ISOFIX child seat in the back. Even performance versions such as the GTI and R retain excellent practicality but add a serious dose of performance.

Does the Volkswagen Golf come as a hybrid or electric version?

Yes, you can buy the Golf as an e-Golf, which is a fully electric car. This has lots of advantages, such as much lower running costs. There is also a plug-in hybrid version that allows for up to 42 miles of electric driving before switching to petrol/electric hybrid power to allow you to continue your journey.

Is there a four-wheel drive version of the Golf?

Yes, the very popular Golf R hot hatchback (and estate) comes with four-wheel drive as standard. The other option is the relatively rare Alltrack, which is an estate model.

5,250 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£17,698

1.5L
32.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Motherwell)

01698538870 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (08) - 3.2 V6 R32 DSG 4Motion 3dr

Low Mileage

£8,495

Finance available £167 pm

3.2L
56.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Berkshire Car Planet Limited

01753968045 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (Y) - 2.0 TDI GTD 3dr DSG

£7,195

Finance available £138 pm

2L
118.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

SK CAR COMPANY LTD

01384885534 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (Z6) - 1.6 TDI Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (105 ps)

Low Mileage

£6,595

1.6L
60.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

North West Trade Centre

01772285821 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - TSI Life 5-Door

£14,495

Finance available £242 pm

1.5L
39.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Premier Car Supermarket Kettering Ltd

01536219120 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
82.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Canfield Garage

01371700436 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - Match Edition 1.4 TSI 125 PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£12,828

1.4L
60.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£14,995

Finance available £249 pm

2L
80.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

3 Bridge Car Sales

02871221749 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI 310 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

Low Mileage

£22,299

Finance available £466 pm

2L
46.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Widnes

01518322225 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£17,991

Finance available £387 pm

1.5L
53.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 Golf Match Edition TDI BlueMotion Technology 5dr

£6,695

Finance available £127 pm

1.6L
112.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Eco Cars Motor Company (Yorkshire)

01144372786 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr DSG

£14,399

Finance available £290 pm

1.5L
58.5K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£11,400

Finance available £228 pm

1.5L
56.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Norwich

01603567768 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,399

Finance available £210 pm

2L
99.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

IBZ Motors

02039897125 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT 5-Door

Low Mileage

£7,975

1.4L
70.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

GT 88 LTD

01616749828 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 GTI CLUBSPORT S 3d 306 BHP 3-Door

Reduced

£27,500

Finance available £544 pm

2L
27.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Praters Of Hollingdon LLP

01525308854 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

£12,750

Finance available £263 pm

1.6L
59.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Rory Gaffney Cars

02838298749 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - TSI Bluemotion 5-Door

Low Mileage

£6,850

Finance available £131 pm

1.2L
59.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

NS Auto Trading Ltd

02039577375 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI S DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,240

Finance available £251 pm

1.4L
40.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Select Motors GB

02037808222 *

Volkswagen Golf2003 (53) - 1.9 TDI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,795

1.9L
129.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

AB Auto Traders Limited

01414041853 *

Why buy a used Volkswagen Golf?

If you're in the market for a practical, comfortable and dependable car with the added benefit of timeless style and design, then a used Volkswagen Golf is a great choice. The Golf is also available with petrol, diesel, hybrid and even full electric engines.

Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

Author: Jack Evans

View profile

Pros

Efficient engines
Impressively refined
High-quality interior

Cons

Rivals are more involving to drive
Digitalised interior is a bit fiddly
Plain styling

Read our Volkswagen Golf review

Volkswagen Golf video review

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Different generations of used Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf has been on the roads since 1974, with the UK being one of its best markets. Over the course of eight generations, Volkswagen has kept the Golf stylish and relevant. The newest models remain highly efficient and thoroughly enjoyable to drive.

Eighth Generation (2020 to Present)

The most recent generation has been completely redesigned inside and out. The style is more striking, with interior features similar to those of the all-electric ID.4. Enhanced safety systems have also been added for a more protected drive.

VW released all-electric models and a plug-in hybrid for increased efficiency, further adding to the overall appeal of the latest generation Golf.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Hybrid - Petrol/Electric / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1 - 2
MPG:: 34 - 941
Acceleration:: 4.6 - 10.7 seconds
Boot space:: 273 - 611 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.5 TSI 204 Style eHybrid 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.0 TSI Life 5dr
Fastest
2.0 TSI 333 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Seventh Generation (2013 to 2020)

The MQB platform created a Golf that was 100 kg lighter than earlier models, meaning better performance, handling and fuel efficiency. Safety features such as Automatic Emergency Braking was added. As with previous generations, VW continued working on ways to make the Golf more efficient, with improvements year over year.

In 2013, the Golf R hit the scene and brought class-leading hot hatch performance. Such was the popularity of the Mk7 Golf, over six million were built and sold worldwide.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Full Electric / Hybrid - Petrol/Electric / Petrol
Engine Size:: 2
MPG:: 34 - 166
Acceleration:: 4.6 - 12.9 seconds
Boot space:: 272 - 605 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
99kW e-Golf 35kWh 5dr Auto
Cheapest
1.2 TSI S 3dr
Fastest
2.0 TSI 310 R 3dr 4MOTION DSG

Sixth Generation (2016 to 2020)

It didn't take long before drivers realised how amazing this generation was, with the 2009 model winning the World Car of the Year award. Despite its sharp style, this generation didn't go on many years before another design took over, making them even more desirable on the used market.

Most notably, this generation receives a lot of praise for its safety and the high-tech features included.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1 - 2
MPG:: 44 - 57
Acceleration:: 6.3 - 10.8 seconds
Boot space:: 380 - 605 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Fastest
2.0 TSI GTI Moda 5dr DSG

Buying a used car checklist: what to look for

Buying a used car can be a daunting task, but with our checklist, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.

View guides

* Telephone numbers starting with 084X or 087X will cost you up to 13p per minute plus your telephone company's access charge. Calls to other telephone numbers will only cost your phone company's access charge.